York on the radar for Hala Bek

Godolphin have earmarked the Strensall Stakes at York as the next port of call for Hala Bek after his winning comeback at Nottingham.

The five-year-old will forever be remembered as the horse who threw away the 2006 Derby by veering badly right in the closing stages, handing the race to Sir Percy.

He was with Michael Jarvis back in those days but was transferred to Godolphin during a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and returned to the track with an effortless victory over stable companion Fairmile.

“He’ll be entered in a Group Three at York (August 22),” said Saeed bin Suroor.

“He worked today and he worked very well.

“He looks a lot more forward now than he did before his race at Nottingham.

“He’s a very big horse though and he will always need a bit of cut in the ground, he won’t run if it is fast.”

Bin Suroor also had some positive news about Ramonti who was another to return from a lay-off recently, but with less success at Ascot.

He remains on track to defend his Sussex Stakes crown.

“He’s come out of the Ascot race very well. He needed the race badly but we knew that beforehand, also the ground was soft enough for him, he needs good ground really,” said Bin Suroor.

“I think he’ll have a good chance in the Sussex. He looks much happier now that he has had a race than he did before Ascot.

“We know that he handles the track which is another bonus.”